Thanks to the popularity of the inaugural Best Ski Towns for Real Estate Investing list for 2014, the RealtyTrac editorial team sacrificed their precious holidays to endure the toils of travel to idyllic ski resort towns and the trials of rigorously testing champagne-powered ski slopes all for the sake of bringing our readers a new and improved list for 2015.

Oh, all the information is available online? No travel necessary?

Well there goes our 2015 research budget.

This time around we found 18 towns that matched our seven criteria for a best ski town for real estate investing (see methodology in info graphic with special thanks to the folks at ZRankings). The towns were spread throughout the western U.S., with three each in Washington, Colorado, California and Idaho, two each in Utah and Montana, and one each in Oregon and Wyoming.

We also searched high and low on RealtyTrac to find both bargain properties as well as budget buster properties — admit it, those eye candy properties are just more fun to look at — in the top 10 ranked towns.

The budget-buster properties range from a relatively frugal $675,000 in Georgetown, Colo., to a whopping $11.5 million in Bozeman, Mont., which ironically also boasts the lowest-priced bargain property, a bank-owned home being sold at auction with a current bid of $60,000.

Ski Town Bargains

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Powered by Cincopa Video Hosting for Business solution.Best Ski Town BargainsWe found some of the best bargains in the best ski towns for real estate investing as ranked by RealtyTrac.Huntsville, UTWith an estimated value of $245,000, this foreclosure auction has an estimated opening bid below $105,000.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 402height 334Bellingham, WAScheduled for foreclosure auction in April with an estimated opening bid of $148,000, this 3 bed, 1 bath home has an estimated value of more than $200,000.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 398height 324Sandy, UTLocated in a neighborhood with very good schools and very low crime as rated by Homefacts, this starter home is scheduled for foreclosure auction in February with an estimated opening bid of $209,000.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 400height 331Georgetown, COCozy condo with mountain views is being sold fully furnished with a list price of $79,900. originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 640height 480Whitefish, MTThis 1,600 square foot townhome listed for $269,000 has membership in the Canoe Club and access to swimming pool.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1024height 768Enumclaw, WALocated close to Crystal Mountain Resort, this nearly 1200 square foot cabin sitting on nearly an acre is listed for $279,000.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 420height 315Crested Butte, COListed for $220,000 this 1 bedroom condo also has two bathrooms and two fireplaces and is on the first floor.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1156height 768Bozeman, MTThis bank-owned property is being sold via online auction with a current bid of $60,000.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 900height 670Bend, ORBeing sold as-is with a list price of $218,000, this nearly 1,800 square foot property is accepting bids now.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 596height 363Mammoth Lakes, CABilled as the lowest-priced single family home in Mammoth at $329,000 this cozy cabin is currently being rented out for $1,500 a month, a 5.5 percent cap rate.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 1280height 960

Ski Town Budget-Busters

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Powered by Cincopa Video Hosting for Business solution.Best Ski Town Budget BustersWe found the most lavish homes in the best ski towns for real estate investing as ranked by RealtyTrac.Huntsville, UTThis 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom, nearly 10,000 square foot home is perched on two acres with views of the Snowbasin Ski Resort.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 420height 315Bellingham, WASitting on the shore of Puget Sound, this 6,000 square foot custom-crafted home is listed for $2 million. originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 420height 315Sandy, UTLocated between the Alta and Snowbird ski resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon, this home is listed for $1.8 millionoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 420height 315Georgetown, COWith mountain and river views this 7,000 square foot log cabin home is a relative bargain at $675,000originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 640height 480Whitefish, MTSitting near the base of Whitefish Mountain Resort, this nearly 9,000 square foot cedar log home is listed for $1.9 million.flash 16cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 767orientation 1camerasoftware Ver.1.00 originaldate 5/29/2014 8:42:52 PMwidth 1154cameramodel NIKON D3200Enumclaw, WAEquestrian farm property with full views of Mt. Ranier listed for $900,000.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 420height 315Crested Butte, COWith views of downtown Crested Butte and the entire East River Valley, this home is listed for $2.9 million.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 800height 600Bozeman, MTListed at nearly $11.5 million, this highest-priced home is really a compound featuring two lakes.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 640height 427Bend, ORBordering Deschutes National Forest with views of the Cascades this 11 acre property is listed for $3.6 millionoriginaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 767height 575Mammoth Lakes, CASituated under soaring pine trees near Mammoth Mountain this 3500 square foot home is listed for $1.6 million.originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 400height 300

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